Tri-County Conference Girls’ Notebook

Royal Division. Williamstown has won or shared the last four division titles, and the Braves will be in contention again this season.

Williamstown has a pair of experienced guards in seniors Jess Martinez, who averaged 9.8 points, and Briana White, who averaged 8.2 points and 5.7 rebounds. The Braves will look to play pressure defense and a fast-paced offense with junior guards Jade Bonder, Courtney Caulfield and Shannon Grim.

"We are young, but athletic and quick," Williamstown coach Karen Dilmore said.

Deptford shared the title last season with Williamstown and Clearview, and the Spartans have their sights set on sole possession.

Leading the way is Philadelphia University signee Samantha Morris, a 5-9 guard who averaged 20 points. The Spartans also have veterans in 6-1 senior Tina Croxton, who averaged 10 rebounds, as well as senior forward Teniqua Pressley, senior guard Samantha Dimitri, and junior forward Megan Fox.

Kingsway will be in the mix with senior guard Alyssa Wiggins setting the pace. The Dragons also have experienced juniors in forward Liz Faulkner and guards Heather Juhring and Taylor Johnson.

The key could be the development of a pair of 5-10 sophomores, Allie Bradian and Kayla Green.

"We lived and died by the jump shot last year," Kingsway coach Karyn Pickard said. "We have to develop more of an inside game.

Clearview has a top player in 6-2 senior Kiley Grabbe, who has signed with St. Francis (N.Y.). She averaged 11.1 points and 9.1 rebounds last season.

The Pioneers are inexperienced but have a veteran guard in senior Heather Gravinese and some promising young players, especially freshman guard Sara Kramer.

"We're using the term 'remodeling' rather than 'rebuilding,' " Clearview coach Neil Bress said.

Delsea returns point guard Gabby Hassinger as well as guards Sara Batchelor and Tori Defrance, and forward Briana Hunt from a 17-win team.

Highland has six returning letter-winners, led by 5-5 senior Brianna McNamee, a three-year starter, and 5-10 senior Jessica Small. Junior forward Liz Looby averaged eight points last season.

Diamond Division. Glassboro shared the division title with Penns Grove last season. The Bulldogs lost some talent, but return perhaps the division's best player in 5-6 senior guard Stephanie Gardner.

Gardner will need to show the way for an inexperienced team that includes a pair of junior forwards in 5-9 Jax Nemitz and 5-10 Kambryn Taylor.

"Stephanie Gardner's leadership will be pivotal," Glassboro coach Rich Wisniewski said.

Gloucester Catholic should contend for the title with several returning veterans from a team that went 7-3 in the division.

Leading the way will be senior forward Marissa Kinsey, a three-year starter, as well as junior point guard Alex Balara. The Rams have some inside presence in junior Julie Genther and sophomore Nicole Fallon and experienced guards in juniors Kristina Reiter and Shayla Giosia.

Penns Grove is counting on junior guard Taylor Smith, who averaged 10 points last season, to help fill the void created by the graduation of star guard Shalisa Hill. Junior guard Katie Halter, the team's best outside shooter, is another returning starter.

Woodstown will rebuild behind senior guards Sarah Hepler and Key'ava Gardner as well as junior center Lauren Husser.

Classic Division. Gloucester graduated five seniors, including four starters, from a 27-3 team that shared the division crown with Salem and won the South Jersey Group 1 title.

But the Lions will be back in contention behind junior forward Cori Conner, who averaged nine points and nine rebounds. Senior Shelby Casey and junior Gabrielle Cooper are experienced guards, and the Lions also could get a lift from senior forward Eryn Quinn and sophomore guard Johanna James.

"If this year's team continues to work hard, by February, we may be a formidable threat in Group 1," Gloucester coach Sean Gorman said.

Salem returns one of the division's best players in 5-6 junior Shaqui Coppage, who led the Rams in scoring with a 15.5 average. Two other starters - 5-10 senior Theresa Krawiec, who averaged 10.7 points, and 5-10 junior Taylor Keen - return.

Wildwood will be in the mix behind 5-4 senior Loretta Kelly and 5-7 senior Katie McWade.

Clayton returns four starters from a 12-win team, including junior forward Sharele Anderson, who averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds and already has 1,000 career points. Senior guard Val Perretti, junior center Casey Geigosh, and sophomore guard Stephanie Williams also are returning starters.

Pitman should be improved with 5-9 junior forward Michele Stafford leading the way. The Panthers also have veterans in 5-10 senior Melissa Hurdock and 5-9 junior Leah Patrick.